Tucked inside Fox Ridge State Park near Charleston, Illinois, the Ridge Lake Biological Station is home to one of the longest-running public fishing creels in the world. Operated by the Illinois Natural History Survey as part of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the station supports long-term fisheries research, hands-on public engagement, and studies that have helped shape how we manage freshwater sportfish in Illinois.
What We Do
Ridge Lake provides a controlled environment for studying fish populations and angler behavior. Each summer, anglers are invited to fish on selected weekends as part of an ongoing creel survey that has been conducted since 1942. Staff measure and weigh every fish caught, providing decades of continuous data on species such as bluegill, largemouth bass, and muskie.
Research conducted at the station has explored everything from stocking combinations and size limits to predator-prey interactions and species growth over time. The site also supports outreach and education through public access and seasonal employment opportunities.
Facilities and Resources
Ridge Lake is designed for long-term, small-lake research with public involvement. Facilities include:
- A lake with adjustable water levels and drainage capability
- A lakeside building for field operations
- Storage space for creel and sampling equipment
- Rowboats provided free of charge to anglers during open fishing weekends
Since shoreline fishing is not permitted, the use of boats helps standardize angling conditions during creel periods.
Public Fishing Creel
Fishing access at Ridge Lake is available on designated weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with hours from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Boats are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and staff are present on-site to assist with data collection and address any questions.
The lake hosts a variety of species, including:
- Largemouth bass
- Black and white crappie
- Bluegill and redear sunfish
- Channel catfish (stocked annually by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources)
- Muskie and walleye
Anglers may keep fish that meet legal size regulations, including a 14-inch minimum for bass and catfish.
Seasonal Opportunities
Each summer, seasonal research technicians run the fishing creel and assist with lake monitoring. Interested applicants are advised to reach out to Dr. Joe Parkos to learn more about employment opportunities at the station.
A Long Research History
On April 17, 1941, Ridge Lake became Illinois’s first state-managed water body dedicated to fisheries research with complete water level control. The citizens of Charleston donated the original land, and the lake was first stocked in June of that year.
The station’s first director, Dr. George W. Bennett, led early experiments on stocking strategies and growth rates. Since then, Ridge Lake has supported decades of scientific work on fish ecology, harvest regulations, and sustainable angling practices. It persists as a model site for combining public involvement with serious research.
